Pretoria - The Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC), which is headed by Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe, on Thursday met with various stakeholders as part of the consultation process on the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project (GFIP).
Director-General in the Presidency, Dr Cassius Lubisi, led the government delegation when it met representatives from Business Unity South Africa (BUSA), Southern African Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (SAVRALA), Opposition to Urban Tolling Alliance (OUTA), Road Freight Association (RFA) and religious leaders at the Union Buildings.
"In the interest of transparency, government shared information with stakeholders to contextualise the GFIP and provided clarity on technical issues. Technical details shared with stakeholders included the explanations for the operational and administrative cost of the Gauteng e-toll system," said the Presidency in a statement.
The consultation process provided a platform to respond to issues raised by stakeholders as well as to begin to unpack technical issues.
Presentations included immediate to short term programmes as well as long term plans to developing an integrated public transport system.
Stakeholders argued strongly for alternative funding models for the GFIP, including an increase to the fuel levy.
Government said it was aware of the concerns of stakeholders and was committed to considering all suggestions in deciding on a way forward. All stakeholders agreed to engage further to address specific issues.
The stakeholder engagement process of the IMC on the GFIP continues with a planned session with the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) this morning in Johannesburg.
